Living out Laura Cotesta’s dream - Katie Wismer

Strength is precious. It is the courage to take on a battle you may not win. It is overcoming as a team when you could not have as an individual. It is the unity of hundreds of Lockerby students carrying on Laura Cotesta’s legacy — the Kids Caring for Kids Cancer drive.

Diagnosed with cancer at the age of nine, Laura’s fight with cancer was ongoing throughout her childhood and adolescent life. As there were no resources available for children with cancer in northern Ontario at the time, Laura had to frequently travel to southern Ontario to receive the treatment she required.

This travelling to receive the needed medical care was yet another obstacle in Laura’s life — an obstacle that Sudbury’s pediatric cancer patients should not have. There began Laura’s dream.

It is because of Laura Cotesta’s campaign that there is now a children’s ward in the North Eastern Ontario Regional Cancer Centre.

Without her strength and selfless dedication to bettering the lives of other pediatric cancer patients, children with cancer today would be in the same position she had been in only 15 years before.

Over the duration of 15 years, the Lockerby Kids Caring for Kids Cancer Drive has raised more than $440,000.

The money donated to the cancer centre has been used for both cancer research and helping families with children diagnosed with the disease. This year, Lockerby students hope to beat last year’s total of $32,000.

On Oct. 28, Lockerby students will be hitting city streets, canvassing door to door to raise money for the cancer centre.

Although Laura is no longer with us, she lives on in her dream and in the strength she has given us.

On Oct. 28, you will be presented with an opportunity to help accomplish Laura’s dream. Should you choose to donate, you will be giving to children with cancer what Laura has given to us — hope.

Katie Wismerstudent, Lockerby Composite High School